Basketball Transfer Portal '25

[Gypo O'Leary]

NEWS:

Kentucky transfer guard Kerr Kriisa has committed to UC.

The 6-3 senior from Estonia only played in nine games for the Wildcats this season. Played three years for Arizona and one season with West Virginia.

Estonia, Kentucky?

[London 'Cat]

Estonia, Kentucky?

I believe Kriisa is from Estonia, a country in Europe.

[bearcatbret]

Some highlights on the two recent commits. Bearcats Steal Defensive Star From Rival | Fan Recap

[GoBearcats31]

Rothstein — “UNC Wilmington transfer Harlan Obioha will take the following visits, per his agents @noah_reisenfeld and @Adie_vongontard.

Wichita State (Tuesday)
Texas (after dead period)
Cincinnati (after dead period)”

7 foot, 280 lb senior to be averaged 9.2 and 6.0
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba.../harlan-obioha … 7 and 9 in NCAA Tournament loss to Texas Tech

Committed to none of these schools. Off to WVU.

[swilsonsp4]

I believe Kriisa is from Estonia, a country in Europe.

Correct. One of the Baltic states.

[leeraymond]

Kriisa posted a 3.3 BPM in limited playing time this year. Last year at West Virginia his BPM was exactly 0. Throughout his career Kriisa has been a good three point shooter (36%) and facilitator (26% assist rate), but also a turnover machine (23% TO rate) and poor defender (negative 0.3 defensive BPM). He doesn't get to the rim or the free throw line - in 2024 he only had 12 rim attempts and 40 FT attempts all season.

Not sure how to feel about this pickup. If he can make threes and inject some creativity into the offense it could work out. But if you guys think our current guards turn it over too much and play poor defense, Kriisa has been way worse in those areas.

Why? Why use a scholarship on this guy? There are better picks out there. Picks like this is exactly what is wrong with the roster.

[westside bearcat]

Replacements for Fredricks and Hickman.

[red_n_black_attack]

Wih Harris and Kriisa, the Bearcats dramatically improved their bench. I don't see either as starters, but they should push Tillery and whichever other guards return.

[Rufus]

No clear method to the madness, as it seem besides playing the same position, the two are exact opposites. Sencire plays great defense, but can't shoot and is basically a non-factor on offense. Kriisa doesn't do anything well besides shoot. The guard position is looking quite full (especially if Hickman gets a waiver) unless Day Day or Jizzle transfer. Both Kriisa and Harris seem like role players. Hopefully the star(s) are coming in the form of big men or wings.

Typical Miller recruits. One dimensional guards!

[BearKatz]

Replacements for Fredricks and Hickman.

It's kinda laughable, Fredricks & Hickman are exactly the type of players the Bearcats don't need to compete in the Big 12! And now we have their replacements! SMH!

[zykarious]

Why? Why use a scholarship on this guy? There are better picks out there. Picks like this is exactly what is wrong with the roster.

My guess: they come cheap, they should help improve the culture (both are known for toughness, energy and desire to win, something we sorely lacked this year) and they can fill valuable roles - maybe even earn starting roles.

It seems we're saving up money for a big time portal addition or two, hopefully Wes can actually make that plan come to fruition.

[GoBearcats31]

UC has lacked toughness and Kriisa and Harris can help

Not saying everyone should be through the roof with either, but I'm sure if they landed random guy averaging 11 points at Coastal Carolina everyone would be ticked as well.

Team is going to have a bunch of openings, so adding: 1) a 24 year PG who was starting for an NCAA No. 2 seed two years ago, and 2) a member of the Big 12's All-Defensive team, noting two of the other four are playing in tonight's national championship game, doesn't sound bad to me.

For reference, here is who Xavier has added so far:
- 15.5 ppg guard for 15-19 Valpo
- Two New Mexico big guy transfers who together combined for 9.7 points per game this year
- Another big guy transfer who averaged 3.6 ppg for a mediocre Virginia

[BearKatz]

UC has lacked toughness and Kriisa and Harris can help

Not saying everyone should be through the roof with either, but I'm sure if they landed random guy averaging 11 points at Coastal Carolina everyone would be ticked as well.

Team is going to have a bunch of openings, so adding: 1) a 24 year PG who was starting for an NCAA No. 2 seed two years ago, and 2) a member of the Big 12's All-Defensive team, noting two of the other four are playing in tonight's national championship game, doesn't sound bad to me.

For reference, here is who Xavier has added so far:
- 15.5 ppg guard for 15-19 Valpo
- Two New Mexico big guy transfers who together combined for 9.7 points per game this year
- Another big guy transfer who averaged 3.6 ppg for a mediocre Virginia

I'll agree to disagree on this one. Harris might add some toughness/defensive ability that was missed by John Newman. However I see the exact opposite from Kriisa on the film Iv'e seen. Looks like another Fredricks / Hickman running around jacking up 3s. And the tougher the competition gets, the more likely he disappears. I guess we will see.

I don't think comparing our (2) Transfers to what X has recently landed is a good comparison. X's new Coach seems to know what he's doing! 2023/24 New Mexico was 26-10, and this past year 17-3 in the league.

Now I know it's the Mountain West and not the Big 12. But I have a feeling he's a pretty good judge of talent.

[zykarious]

UC has lacked toughness and Kriisa and Harris can help

Not saying everyone should be through the roof with either, but I'm sure if they landed random guy averaging 11 points at Coastal Carolina everyone would be ticked as well.

Team is going to have a bunch of openings, so adding: 1) a 24 year PG who was starting for an NCAA No. 2 seed two years ago, and 2) a member of the Big 12's All-Defensive team, noting two of the other four are playing in tonight's national championship game, doesn't sound bad to me.

For reference, here is who Xavier has added so far:
- 15.5 ppg guard for 15-19 Valpo
- Two New Mexico big guy transfers who together combined for 9.7 points per game this year
- Another big guy transfer who averaged 3.6 ppg for a mediocre Virginia

I don't think many are going to be happy this off-season, regardless of what happens. The fan base has mostly turned on Wes and won't be satisfied until he racks up wins (or gets fired).

They are exactly the type of players I thought we'd get, guys who probably come relatively cheap (Kriisa because he's coming off injury and doesn't play great defense, Sencire because of his lack of offense), but who bring value and could be worth more than they are paid. That they both seems to bring culture too is a sign that someone made that a focus as well.

In today's age, the portal should be thought of more like free agency. The goal is to find undervalued high-major level players and hope we can fix or compensate for their issues. With scholarships going up to 15 this year, there's no harm in taking a few gambles that don't pay off. The trick is finding cheap gambles that have a good chance of paying off. It's difficult for fans to adjust to that view, especially since we don't know exactly how much they are being paid. My view on Kriisa and Sencire would change dramatically depending on their price tag (I.E. bad additions at 750k each, great additions at 250k each).


Harris worst case is similar to John Newman when he first came here, not going to wow anyone, but provides a consistent solid contribution. Best case is we can fix his three point stroke and he's an elite 3-and-D guy.

Kriisa we just hope can stay healthy.

[GoBearcats31]

Dan Skillings >>> Transfer Portal

Skillings finishes his UC career 83 points shy of 1,000 points. He averaged 9.2 and 4.6 over three seasons, including 28.1% from three, 64.4% from FT, in exactly 100 games.

See his IG post here https://www.cincinnati.com/story/spo...l/82973029007/